Pashupatinath

Deities and other sculptures. Non-Hindus are not
allowed to venture in the main premises.

Pashupatinath
is not only the holiest Hindu pilgrimage in Nepal but also one of the
holiest destinations in the entire world. This temple that has been
declared UNESCO Heritage site has been erected and razed to the ground
numerous times. There are lingam images of Shiva along with statues and
temples dedicated to other deities in the complex. There is historical
evidence that a temple dedicated to Shiva existed at this site in AD
879. What happened of that temple, nobody knows. However, King
Bhupatindra Malla built the present temple in the year 1697. The present
temple is the subtle work of architecture with its gold-plated roof,
be-jeweled doors, flowered motifs and woodcarvings of the finest
quality. The square-shaped pagoda like temple, which is built on a
single platform of 24 meters in height, stands in the middle of an open
courtyard. The entrance of the temple is from all the four sides and is
decorated by gold-gilt doors. Inside the temple there is a narrow walk
engulfing the sanctum from where one can have closer view of Shivlinga.

On the both sides of each door of the temple there are artistic niche
of different sizes containing attractive images of Apsara, Ashtha
Bhairava and other gods and goddesses. Nearly all these paintings have
been done in gold. The latticed windows are lift from the Bhutanese
monasteries. The beams that support the roofs have pictures that depict
different sexual and suggestive postures. On the upper part of the beam
that supports the lower roof, the images of moon, sun and a
Purna-Kalasha have been carved out.

In the central sanctum of the temple lies the 3 feet high Shivlinga.
The major difference between this and other Shivlingas in India is the
fact that the Shivlinga at Pashupatinath is four faced. The face looking
east is called Tatpurusha where as the ones in west, north and south are
called Sadhyojata, Vamadeva and Aghora. The upper portion of this lingam
is known as Ishan.

Pashupatinath area is regarded as one of the most important places of
pilgrimages for the followers of Hinduism in the entire world. Thousands
of devotees come to pay homage to Pashupatinath every day. On special
occasions like Ekadasi, Sankranti, Maha Shivaratri, Teej Akshaya, Rakhi,
Grahana (eclipse), Poornima (Full moon day) people congregate here in
far greater number.